“West Virginia State Parks & Forests”

“The West Virginia State Park system is composed of 34 state parks, eight state forests, five wildlife management areas, the Greenbrier River Trail, and the North Bend Rail Trail.”

<<The WV State Parks and Forests have their own page on MH3WV–see the menu at the top of this page>>

National Forests, Parks, Heritage Areas, Landmarks, Flood Control Dams, and other Natural Features

<<The section on WV National Forests, WV National Parks, WV National Heritage Areas, WV National Wildlife Refuges, WV National Landmarks, WV Flood Control Dams, and other Natural Features in West Virginia is on a separate MH3WV page: “National Parks/Forests/More.” See menu at the top of this page.>>

“WV Tourism Regions”

Explore WV Tourism’s “Tourism Regions” Website – Brief descriptions of each tourism / tourist region with links to much more in depth information. <<Note: Page still available and links to pages for each region still work, but many links from the regional pages do not>>

“The purpose of this publication is to chronicle and salute the tremendous efforts of all those individuals involved in the planning, construction and maintenance of the West Virginia State Capitol. It is hoped that the ensuing narrative, facts and data, as well as archival pictures and recent photographic work, appropriately detail the construction progress and classic beauty of this monument to the State’s citizenry.”Explore “The West Virginia Capitol: A Commemorative History” Website

“Capitol Facts” – WV Tourism

Architect – Cass Gilbert

Completed – February 1932

Cost – $9,491,180.03

Ground Covered – 16 acres

Floor Space – 535,000 square feet

Outside Walls – over 700 carloads of Buff Indiana limestone

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Interior:

Main Unit – Imperial Danby Vermont Marble

Wings – Tennessee Marble

Floors – White Vermont Marble and Italian Travertine

Chandelier – Czechoslovakian-imported crystal weighing two tons; 15,000 candle power; 179 feet, 9 inches from the floor; 54 foot-long gold chain lowered by hand winch at a set speed, requiring 3 1/2 hours to lower and 4 1/2 hours to return to stationary position. The chandelier is lowered for cleaning every four years upon the inauguration of a new governor or re-election of an incumbent.

“Designed by renowned architect Cass Gilbert, the WV State Capitol sits along the Kanawha River in Charleston. Gilbert, who also designed the US Supreme Court Building, designed the statehouse to embody both simplicity and beauty. Completed in 1932, the Capitol sits on 16 acres and is one of the few state capitols to have a gold-leafed dome.”

“This DVD about the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia gives viewers an understanding of the history of the Supreme Court, and the Supreme Court Chamber designed by architect Cass Gilbert. It contains historical footage, archival photos, interviews, and detailed shots of the stunning Courtroom in the East Wing of the West Virginia Capitol. It is narrated by Justice Thomas E. McHugh.”

“Once atop the spacious stairways at either the North or South exterior of the Capitol, one can look directly above to observe examples of the ceiling rosettes. The colonnade of these porticos is styled in the classic Roman Corinthian order, and supports a vaulted ceiling that features square coffered panels containing these rosettes, which represent West Virginia hardwoods.”

Ceiling Rosettes – Front Portico photo: Martin Valent

“Beneath the rosettes that adorn the ceilings that lead to the House and Senate chambers, lawmakers, visitors and employees move and hustle through the maze of people that line the 535,000 square feet of halls and floors. The walls stand still, made from the finest marble, and those who walk by barely notice the tiny details translated from architectural design into art. Amidst the blue and red panels of color that contrast from the Rotunda’s center, all find themselves concerned with the legislative process, while the visible architecture and hidden details of the building are lost in the background to the business of the day.”

“Floating Capitol” – WV Tourism

“When West Virginia became a state in 1863, the Capitol building was at the Linsly Institute in Wheeling. In 1870, the State Legislature designated Charleston as the Capital city. Citizens of Kanawha County provided a packet, Mountain Boy, to move all state records and properties down the Ohio River and up the Kanawha River to their new home in Charleston.

“In 1875, the Legislature voted to return the Capital to Wheeling. This was appealed by the citizens of Charleston and finally settled by the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals on September 13 in favor of Wheeling. However, state officials had boarded the steamers Emma Graham and Chesapeake on May 21 to start their trip to Wheeling. State archives and records did not arrive in Wheeling until late September aboard the Iron Valley steamer. This caused state government to be at a standstill for four months. On December 14, 1876, the city of Wheeling presented West Virginia with a new stone structure costing $120,000.

“The Legislature struck once more in 1877 and ordered an election to be held on August 7 for the citizens of West Virginia to select a permanent location for the Capital. The vote was between Charleston, Martinsburg and Clarksburg. Thirty days after the election, Henry M. Mathews proclaimed that after eight years, Charleston would be the government’s permanent seat. State officials again boarded the Chesapeake in May 1885 to move from Wheeling to Charleston. The steam towboat, Belle Prince, towed the barge, Nick Crewley, with its cargo of state records, papers and library.

“The new Capitol opened on May 1, 1885, and served for 36 years until its destruction by fire on January 3, 1921. Ammunition, bought by the West Virginia State Police two years before, was stored on the top floor of the building. The ammunition had been purchased for use in the coal field disputes which had threatened to erupt into civil war. Supposedly several machine guns and rifles were also stored in the Capitol. The heat from the fire set off the ammunition and sent onlookers running in every direction. Smoke could be seen for miles. While firefighters were fighting the fire, two men mounted one of the fire trucks and took off for a joyride around Charleston. Police chased the men and arrested them.

“A cry went out again to move the Capital, with Clarksburg, Parkersburg and Huntington expressing interest. State officials authorized the building of a temporary capitol in Charleston one week after the fire. This building was constructed in 42 working days and lasted for six years. The “Pasteboard Capitol,” as it was known due to its construction of clapboard and wallboard, was destroyed by fire of unknown origin, on March 2, 1927. Luckily, the Legislature had authorized the construction of the present Capitol on the north bank of the Kanawha River in 1921. This building was completed in 1932 at a cost of $10 million.”

“The West Virginia Executive Mansion is of red Harvard colonial brick laid in Flemish bond with black headers, and is fronted by a central, two-story portico with a bracketed pediment that is supported by four free standing and two engaged fluted Corinthian columns. The arched entrance way, painted white to complement the brickwork, as is all trim, frames a delicate fanlight above the door . . .”

“West Virginia Veterans Memorial”

“The West Virginia Veterans Memorial is a two-story oval shaped monument honoring more than 10,000 West Virginians who made the ultimate sacrifice in defending the nation in twentieth century conflicts. Composed of four limestone monoliths surrounded by a reflecting pool, the interior walls are faced in polished black granite etched with the names of these men and women. The Memorial was designed by P. Joseph Mullins, who also sculpted the four figures representing the four major twentieth century conflicts and the four major branches of military service.”

“The Inspiration Behind West Virginia’s Veterans’ Memorial”

“In this segment, Charleston artist Joe Mullins tells the story of West Virginia’s Veterans’ Memorial. This story first aired Nov. 7, 2002 on the program “Outlook.” It was rebroadcast May 24, 2007. Rob Rhodes is the producer.” (6:48/2007/WV Public Broadcasting) [YouTube connection currently required to watch this video]

“WV Division of Culture and History” – WV Department of Education and the Arts

“The mission of the West Virginia Division of Culture and History is to identify, preserve, protect, promote and present the ideas, arts and artifacts of West Virginia’s heritage, building pride in our past accomplishments and confidence in our future.

“The Division’s main offices are in the Culture Center at the State Capitol in Charleston.”

The Division includes the State Archives and History, WV State Museums, West Virginia Commission on the Arts and the State Historic Preservation Office.

“The Culture Center” – WV Culture and History

“The Culture Center, a contemporary though complementary companion to the State Capitol, opened in 1976 to showcase West Virginia’s artistic, cultural and historic heritage. The lower level of the WV State Museum recently re-opened after a complete renovation.You can also view the art and history exhibits in the Lobby and the Balcony Galleries; browse the State Archives library, or join in one of the dozen exciting festivals and events held throughout the year. The Culture Center houses the offices of the Commission on the Arts and the State Historic Preservation Office, as well as the State Museum, State Archives and other administrative staff.”

“Museum Section” – WV Culture and History

“The museum section of the West Virginia Division of Culture and History oversees and operates six historic sites and museums (West Virginia State Museum/Culture Center, Camp Washington-Carver, Museum in the Park, West Virginia Independence Hall Museum, Grave Creek Mound Archaeology Complex) including the West Virginia State Museum Collection and the West Virginia Archeological Collection.”

“The WV State Museum at The Culture Center” – WV Culture and History

“The West Virginia State Museum is dedicated to inspiring, educating and enriching the lives of the public by instilling a deeper understanding and sense of pride through the collection, preservation and exhibition of diverse cultural and historic traditions, focusing on every aspect of West Virginia history, culture, art, paleontology, archaeology and geology from all geographic regions – representing the people, land and industries.”

“An Introduction to the WV State Museum” – WV Archives and History

“The West Virginia State Museum features a central show path, 26 discovery rooms and two connection rooms. We are located on the lower level of the Culture Center on the West Virginia State Capitol grounds.”

“WV State Museum Reopens after Renovation” – WV Public Broadcasting

“The West Virginia State Museum in Charleston has a new look. Reading every sign and watching every movie could take up to 26 hours. We take you on a tour of some of the highlights.” (5:37/2009/WV Public Broadcasting)

“Camp Washington-Carver” – Clifftop

“Camp Washington-Carver nurtures the cultural heritage embodied in the site since its dedication in 1942 as a 4-H camp for West Virginia’s African-American youth. Programs such as the African-American Heritage Arts Camp and the Appalachian String Band Festival, along with the camp’s Great Chestnut Lodge, the largest log structure of its kind in the world, make this site a favorite place for Mountain State festivities.”

“Museum in the Park” – Chief Logan State Park

“Museum in the Park is a regional cultural center showcasing the best in West Virginia history and the arts. The Land, People, Culture and Stories of the southern coalfields reveal a place rich in natural resources and wealthy in unique individuals.”

“WV Independence Hall” – Wheeling

“Nearly six years before President Lincoln signed the proclamation making West Virginia the 35th State in the Union, construction had begun on the Wheeling Custom House, headquarters for federal offices for the Western District of Virginia. Its completion, coinciding with the beginning of the Civil War, provided a facility for heated political discussions and constitutional conventions that led to eventual statehood for West Virginia in 1863. Here, issues dividing many Virginians – slavery being one of many – were debated, compromised and shaped into the skeleton of statehood. Serving as the Restored Government of Virginia (aligned with the Union) from 1861-1863, it is appropriately known today as West Virginia Independence Hall.”

“Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex” – Moundsville

“The heart of the site is probably the most famous and certainly the largest of the Adena Burial mounds. A massive undertaking, the total effort required the movement of more than 60,000 tons of earth. Artifacts and exhibits interpreting the lifestyle of the Adena people are displayed in the Delf Norona Museum, adjacent to the 2,000 year old mound.”

“WV Association of Museums”

“Preserving the Story and Soul of the Mountain State”

“The Mountain State has many treasures that we invite you to explore. We encourage you to use this resource to visit the places and experience the activities that represent the history, arts, technology, industry, and cultural diversity that West Virginia offers through its more than 300 museums.”

“Youth Museum of Southern WV” – Raleigh Co.

“The Beckley Youth Museum’s main gallery is made up of four railroad boxcars. The central exhibit area features an average of three different exhibits yearly. Tours can include a visit to the Museum’s Planetarium. Behind the Museum’s main building, stands the Mountain Homestead. Developed to enrich history studies, the Museum has recreated a typical settlement on the Appalachian frontier.”

“Heritage Farm Museum” – Cabell Co.

“The one-of-a-kind Heritage Farm Museum and Village of Huntington, West Virginia, boasts not only a vast collection of historical items related to Appalachian life but corporate retreat and training facilities, elegant bed-and-breakfast accommodations, wedding facilities, interactive learning areas for children, and a petting zoo. In this video, Mike Perry, co-founder of Heritage Farm Museum and Village, talks about its goals and the value of reassuring young people that ‘they come from the same line that produced the wonders we show.’ “ (3:28/2009/Heritage Farm Museum) [YouTube connection currently required to watch this video]

“Heritage Farm Museum & Village”

(10:50/2011/Trifecta Productions) [YouTube connection currently required to watch this video]

“WV Music Hall of Fame”

“The West Virginia Music Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization dedicated to documenting and preserving the rich and lasting contributions West Virginians have made to all genres of music. The Hall of Fame’s mission is to recognize the many important musicians who have helped shape the rich spectrum of American music from country, classical and jazz to rock, R&B, gospel and traditional. The WVMHoF’s mission also includes establishing a permanent facility to house the Hall of Fame and an accompanying museum to exhibit and archive recordings and memorabilia.”

“Historic New Deal / CCC Trail” – WV Tourism

“President Franklin D. Roosevelt implemented the New Deal programs to revitalize the nation’s economy during the Great Depression. Recreation and infrastructure projects provided employment opportunities. Begun in 1933 the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), commonly called the “Tree Army,” focused on reforestation and recreation projects. More than 55,000 West Virginia men were enrolled in the CCC and the state had more than 65 camps.”

“Mountain Music Trail”

“Promoting and presenting the traditional music, dance, and folkways of the Allegheny Mountain region.”

“Promoting cultural tourism and sustainable economic development near the Highway 219 corridor in Monroe, Greenbrier, Pocahontas, Randolph and Tucker counties; and sharing a cultural experience that brings together visitors and residents alike, to enjoy and participate in traditional mountain folkways.

“Traveling 219 – The Seneca Trail”

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“Traveling 219 is a web-based multi-media project documenting stories from communities along US Route 219 in West Virginia and Maryland. Following the tradition of the Federal Writers’ Project from the 1930s, Traveling 219 collects stories and helps put more local voices from those communities on the radio, newspapers, and the web.”

“African-American Heritage Trail” – WV Tourism

“African-Americans play a pivotal role in the culture and history of West Virginia. Rooted in servitude, their brave efforts would help tame wilderness, build industry and create the only state born of the Civil War.”

“The African-American presence in West Virginia dates from the 1780s, when European exploring parties brought slaves to the Greenbrier and New River valleys. During the French and Indian Wars, blacks aided the army as it moved through the New River and Big Sandy valleys up toward the Ohio River and helped to stake claims for white settlers. . . ”

“Tourist Trains” – WV Department of Transportation

“West Virginia offers numerous tourist trains throughout the state. Whether you are satisfying your wild side or simply looking for a relaxing time with the family, one of the following tourist trains excursions will have something just for you.”

“WV Trains” – West Virginia Tourist Train Association

“Before the turn of the 20th century the state’s coal, timber, oil and natural gas were nearly inaccessible. Railroad construction allowed access to these resources, the materials that drove the nation’s Industrial Age.

“The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad (B&O) is the nation’s oldest line, and more than half of it is within West Virginia’s borders. During the Civil War, the B&O was so important that both the Union and the Confederacy fought to keep it from falling into the other side’s hands.

“As American factories became mechanized, the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad (C&O) hauled coal to heat the furnaces. The C&O also produced the legend of the “steel drivin’ man” John Henry. Today that legend is memorialized with a monument near Talcott, W.Va. The C&O Heritage Museum is housed in a newly-refitted depot in Huntington.”

“Tourist Trains of Wild & Wonderful WV”

(10:33/2012/Doug Obert) [YouTube connection currently required to watch this video]

“Cass Scenic Railroad Postcard” – WV Public Broadcasting

The sights and sounds of a trip to Whitaker Station on West Virginia’s Cass Scenic Railroad. This piece was produced by Chuck Frostick for the show “Outlook” on WVPBS. (2:50/2008/WV Public Broadcasting)

“From Elkins to Durbin” – WV Public Broadcasting

Producer Glynis Board takes a scenic trip from Elkins to Durbin, W.Va., on the Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad. This piece aired Jan. 17, 2008, on the program Outlook. (6:49/2008/WV Public Broadcasting) [YouTube connection currently required to watch this video]

“Ice Mountain” – Hampshire Co.

“Ice Mountain is a mountain running along the North River just north of North River Mills where the old colonial road from Winchester to the South Branch came down from Sandy Ridge and Grape Ridge along Hiett Run and crossed North River. The mountain contains a set of stone chimneys called “Raven Rocks” and a large talus. At the base of the talus is an area where small caves hold ice most of the year.”

“Caving in WV”

“Lab 304: Underground West Virginia” – WV Public Broadcasting

“Producer Chuck Frostick takes us into West Virginia’s caves – a subterranean realm of hundreds of miles of interconnected passageways running under parts of our state. This was produced as part of WV PBS’s show “Outlook.” (9:59/2008/WV Public Broadcasting) [YouTube connection currently required to watch this video]

Click on Cave/Cavern Name or Logo below to explore commercial websites:

“The Sinks of Gandy” – Harman School – Randolph Co.

“The Sinks of Gandy are located above Whitmer, WV in Randolph County. Even though they are privately owned, they still attract caving enthusiasts, geologists, and tourists alike with their rugged beauty and mysterious past.”

“WV Watersheds” – WV Department of Environmental Protection

“West Virginia has 32 watersheds divided according to the USGS (US Geological Survey) hydrologic unit codes (HUC) that contribute to the Chesapeake Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The waters west of the eastern continental divide flow into the Ohio River. The Ohio joins the Mississippi River at Cairo, IL. The Mississippi flows into the Gulf of Mexico at New Orleans, LA. The eastern continental divide changes the course of five of our eastern rivers towards the Potomac River. The Potomac enters the Chesapeake Bay southeast of Washington DC. A few streams in the southeastern corner of the state flow towards the James River.”

“3 Rivers: The Bluestone, Gauley and New” – WV Public Broadcasting

“A 90-minute documentary from West Virginia Public Broadcasting explores the economic, environmental, cultural, historical and geographic impact of the largest federally protected system of rivers east of the Mississippi.Three Rivers: The Bluestone, Gauley and New examines the ongoing relationship between mankind and nature in this region. The film is a combination of travelogue, examination of efforts to improve the environment, and a mechanism for promoting economic development through tourism.”

“WVU Jackson’s Mill” – Lewis Co.

“Jackson’s Mill, home to West Virginia 4-H camping, is a rustic-style conference and event facility in an historic, heritage-based setting a few miles outside of Weston, WV. Jackson’s Mill is also home to the West Virginia Fire Academy, a one-of-a-kind training facility for volunteer and professional firefighters from around the state and nation.

“In 1921 the property was deeded to the State of West Virginia to be used as a youth camp and entrusted to the Extension Service of West Virginia University. WVU Jackson’s Mill was developed and became the nation’s first state 4-H camp.”

“Camp Caesar” – Webster Co.

“Also known as the Webster County 4-H Camp, Camp Caesar is a historic campsite located just over 4 miles from Cowen and almost 10 miles from Webster Springs (Addison). The camp was established in 1922 by local members of the Farm Bureau and the Webster County extension agent, Julius A. Wolfram.”

“Cedar Lakes” – Jackson Co.

“A 228-acre tract of land two miles south of Ripley was selected by the State Board of Education as a camp site for the Future Farmers and Future Homemakers of America (now the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America). The project was authorized by the 1949 Legislature. It is the mission of Cedar Lakes to provide leadership and educational opportunities with quality service in an outstanding environment.” Site of the annual “Mountain State Art and Craft Fair.”

“The National Radio Astronomy Observatory” – Pocahontas Co.

“The National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank, West Virginia, operates the world’s premiere astronomical telescope operating from centimeter to millimeter wavelengths. The Observatory has an active engineering research and development program ranging in areas from digital, mechanical, structural, computational, and software engineering. The laboratories, utilities and support facilities make it an attractive location for a variety of research experiments, and it serves as the field station for several university-based research teams. The Observatory is also a major resource for STEM education and public outreach and is used for an extensive array of programs in education and public outreach, and for the training of science and engineering students and teachers. These activities center on the Green Bank Science Center, with its auditorium, classrooms, research facilities and large exhibit hall, which isvisited by 50,000 people every year.”

“Lab 304: Great Big Telescope” – WV Public Broadcasting

“Mike Youngren produced this story on the Robert C. Byrd Telescope at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Greenbank, West Virginia. Bob Wilkinson and Chuck Frostick were the videographers for this piece. Wilkinson was also the video editor.” (6:22/2008/WV Public Broadcasting)

“The Town Where High Tech Meets a 1950s Lifestyle” – The Atlantic

“Life in Green Bank, West Virginia, is far from ordinary. The small town sits inside a “national radio quiet zone” that houses one of the largest radio telescopes in the world. To ensure that astronomers work without interference, residents cannot use any product that transmits wireless signals within a ten-mile radius of the telescope. In other words: no microwave ovens, no cell phones, and no Wi-Fi. ‘Just about anything that uses electricity could potentially cause interference to our telescopes,’ says Jonah Bauserman, a technician for the National Radio Astronomy Observatory.” (5:11/2014/The Atlantic)

“The Largest Fully Steerable Telescope in the World” – National Geographic

“The Green Bank Telescope, located in Green Bank, West Virginia, is home to the largest fully steerable telescope in the world. Taller than the Statue of Liberty, and with a diameter equivalent to the length of three U.S. football fields, this engineering marvel is precise enough to capture the faintest radio waves in the cosmos. Using the data from the GBT, researchers and scientists are able to study the faintest radio objects in the universe.” (3:24/2014/NationalGeographic)

“The U.S. Town With No Cell Phones or Wi-Fi”

Pocahontas County in West Virginia falls within the National Radio Quiet Zone. It’s home to quiet country living, friendly people, and one of the most impressive engineering marvels in the world—the Green Bank Telescope. The GBT measures radio waves from throughout the universe, but due to the telescope’s extreme sensitivity, any operating wireless device can have a negative effect on its observations. But to the people who live in the NRQZ, the restrictions and the quiet, peaceful life that comes with them are welcome.” (3:04/2014/NationalGeographic) [YouTube connection currently required to watch this video]

“Nestled in the hills of West Virginia is a high-tech hub that supports crime-fighting and national security.

“Here, statisticians are compiling vast amounts of data from law enforcement into a series of regular reports detailing the state of crime in communities across the country. The world’s largest repository of criminal fingerprints and history records is being searched in a flash by investigators and police professionals working to catch crooks and terrorists. State-of-the-art technologies, built to ensure the timely and legal purchase of weapons, are instantly returning results to gun shops nationwide.

“That’s just the beginning of what goes on at CJIS—the Criminal Justice Information Services Division—home to an array of services that are a lifeline to law enforcement and a cornerstone of protecting the nation.”

“FBI Crime Center” – National Geographic

May 2005

“Like the loops and whorls of the fingerprints on file there, the FBI’s crime data center outside Clarksburg, West Virginia, is one of a kind. “

” . . .Out the window I spy a couple of men in dark SWAT uniforms, bouncing across a field on ATVs. “Security,” says my minder, whose name is Steve Fischer and who prefers the term “escort.” As he wheels the big vehicle along the winding macadam, he explains that the grounds have a nine-mile perimeter and are patrolled by a bunch of these guys. . . “

“US Bureau of the Public Debt” – Wood Co.

“You haven’t heard of the Bureau of the Public Debt before? We are a small agency within the Department of the Treasury. Our customers are your neighbors, co-workers, and most likely you, too. You were our customer if you’ve ever bought any type of Treasury security for yourself or, as millions have done in the case of savings bonds, as a gift for someone else.

“We are located both in Washington, DC, and in Parkersburg, WV. The majority of our staff works in our offices in Parkersburg.”

“Oglebay Resort” – Ohio Co.

“Over a hundred years ago, a tradition of generous hospitality was started at the summer estate of Earl W. Oglebay in Wheeling, West Virginia. Today, Oglebay Resort and Conference Center offers 1,700 acres of year-round recreational opportunities and excellent overnight accommodations while retaining its picturesque natural beauty.”

“The Bunker at The Greenbrier” – Greenbrier Co.

“The declassified Bunker at The Greenbrier takes you behind the scenes and walks you through a fascinating period in the resort’s history. Carved deep into the mountainside beneath our West Virginia Wing is an emergency Cold War fallout shelter. Once a top secret U.S. government relocation facility for Congress, the Bunker is now open to anyone. Bunker Tours provide a unique and in-depth look behind the hidden doors and let you explore an aspect of The Greenbrier that no other resort can claim.”

“WV Hauntings” – WV Tourism

“Former WV Penitentiary” – Marshall Co.

“The former West Virginia Penitentiary is a gothic-style fortress situated in the heart of historic Moundsville, West Virginia. The structure, which has been placed on the National Historic Register, encompasses over ten acres of ground and was the second public building constructed by the newly formed state of West Virginia after the Civil War. It operated from 1876 to 1995.”

“The Trans-Allegheny Asylum” – Lewis Co.

“The Trans-Allegheny Asylum, constructed between 1858 and 1881, is the largest hand-cut stone masonry building in North America, and is purportedly the second largest in the world, next to the Kremlin. It previously housed Weston State Hospital.”

“The ghost tales and sightings come fast and furious from the lips of the owner of West Virginia’s “Haunted Amusement Park” near Princeton. Gaylord White is the master of ectoplasmic ceremonies at the supposedly ghost-ridden park, filled with the vine-ridden corpses of a Ferris wheel and a swing ride on which a little girl once died – and still haunts, White says. Not to mention the potential ghostly visitations by a host of American Indian ghosts who used to have villages here. Take a visit to the park in this Charleston Gazette video . . . shot and produced by Kathryn Gregory and Douglas Imbrogno.” (2:52/2010/Charleston Gazette)

“Mothman Museum” – Mason Co.

“Flatwoods / Braxton County Monster” – Braxton Co.

“In modern police parlance a long unsolved homicide or other crime may be known as a “cold case,” a term we might borrow for such paranormal mysteries as that of the Braxton Monster, which was launched on September 12, 1952, and never completely explained. At about 7:15 p.m. on that day, at Flatwoods, a little village in the hills of West Virginia, some youngsters were playing football on the school playground. Suddenly they saw a fiery UFO streak across the sky and, apparently, land on a hilltop of the nearby Bailey Fisher farm. The youths ran to the home of Mrs. Kathleen May, who provided a flashlight and accompanied them up the hill. In addition to Mrs. May, a local beautician, the group included her two sons, Eddie 13, and Freddie 14, Neil Nunley 14, Gene Lemon 17, and Tommy Hyer and Ronnie Shaver, both 10, along with . . .”

“Mystery Hole” – Fayette Co.

“This mysterious mind-baffling Mystery Hole was ‘unclosed’ for public view around the middle of the year 1973, and is probably the best kept secret in WEST VIRGINIA or maybe in the whole U.S.A., …no one really knows for sure. Here the laws of gravity seem to have gone berserk and your sense of balance is entirely upset.”

“New Vrindaben – The Hare Krishna Palace of Gold” – Marshall Co.

“The New Vrindaban Holy Dham is set in the beautiful and peaceful Appalachian Mountains in the rural West Virginia Panhandle. This spiritual community has been a place of pilgrimage for many thousands of visitors each year. Sri Sri Radha Vrindaban Chandra Mandir, the main temple hall, is the main attraction of many wonderful attractions in the New Vrindaban Community and is usually the first stop for all visitors and pilgrims.”

“Summit Bechtel Reserve” – Boy Scouts of America – Fayette Co.

“Tamarack – The Best of West Virginia” – Raleigh Co.

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“Tamarack, with its unique retail artisan products and extraordinary food fare, started out as a simple vision to promote the Mountain State’s wonderful image. Wildly popular after nearly 20 years, Tamarack greets hundreds of thousands of guests annually with a memorable experience.”

<< Information on Flood Control Lakes and Dams, Watersheds, and other Natural Features – previously located here – is now on a separate MH3WV page: “National Parks/Forests/More.” See menu at top of this page.>>

“Camden Park” – Cabell Co.

“Camden Park is owned by the Boylin Family. This is the second generation of Boylin’s owning and operating WV’s only amusement park. J. P. Boylin transformed Camden Park from a carousel at the end of a trolly line in Huntington, WV to an amusement park for families of all ages in 1950. By the late 19th century almost every large town in America had streetcars and many had parks to boost weekend and holiday traffic. Originally developed as a picnic area by the Camden Interstate Railway in 1903 Camden Park has survived into the 21st century as a thriving traditional amusement park. Over the years Camden Park has been the setting for baseball games, tens of thousands of picnics, fairs, marathon dances, roller derbies, flagpole sitting, a swimming pool, a zoo, plus numerous attractions and rides.”

“Camden Park Is State’s Only Amusement Park” – The State Journal

“Hovatter’s Wildlife Zoo” – Preston Co.

“This West Virginia Zoo is home to over 30 different species of native and exotic animals from all over the world. What started out as a small collection of deer, black bear, cougars and tigers has turned into a menagerie. You always find new babies for that special photo opportunity.”

“Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine” – Raleigh Co.

“At the Exhibition Coal Mine, one can ride through the dark passages of a vintage coal mine. The guides are veteran miners and provide firsthand accounts of the daily responsibilities and travail of past and present day miners.

“In addition to the Mine, one can tour the period coal camp buildings situated throughout the grounds. Lovingly restored, the Coal Company House, Superintendent’s Home, Pemberton Coal Camp Church, and the Helen Coal Camp School, give visitors a true representation of early 20th century coal camp life.”

“Sistersville Ferry” – Tyler Co.

“First established in 1817, the Sistersville Ferry, located in Sistersville, West Virginia, makes the journey across the Ohio River over to Fly, Ohio. It takes roughly eight minutes to make the journey. In 1902, the Steam Ferry Boat Orion landed at Sistersville, W.Va. It operated between 1902 and 1907, when it was replaced by a similar boat the Daniel. Sistersville has one of the best Ferry systems along the Ohio River. The Ferry now is owned by the City of Sistersville.”

“John Henry is a beloved folk hero for having raced against a steam powered drill to prove worth of using the crew of men rather than machine and to hopefully, preserve the rail workers’ jobs. He proudly fought and won the epic battle, only to die in victory with his hammer in his hand. His legend is a reminder that America and all of its successes and advancements were buillt by everyday heroes like John Henry. The location of the epic contest between man and machine took place at the Great Bend Tunnel in Talcott, WV.”

“John Henry and the Coming of the Railroad” – National Park Service

“Wherever you may find yourself in the New River Gorge, take the time to quietly listen. Intertwined with the sounds of nature; birdsong, flowing water, and wind through the trees you will most likely also hear the whistle of a train. The original Chesapeake and Ohio railroad company line was constructed, following the New River through the Gorge, between 1869 and 1872. This line is very active today with dozens of daily runs by CSX railway corporation coal and freight trains, and Amtrak’s Cardinal passenger line. . .

“The C&O railroad was built primarily by two groups of working men, thousands of African-Americans recently freed from enslavement, and recent Irish Catholic immigrants; both groups anxious to begin new lives for themselves and their families as American citizens. . .

“One of the greatest legends of world folklore was born from these workers and their enormous task; John Henry ‘The Steel Driving Man’. . .”

“How John Henry Became an American Folk Hero” – Smithsonian Channel

“The railroad tracks that crisscross West Virginia pass through the state’s mountains – an engineering feat made possible by the steam-powered drill, or, according to legend, a man named John Henry.” (3:16/2014/Smithsonian Channel)

“The Rumsey Monument” – Jefferson Co. – The Rumseian Society

“Pringle Tree Park” – Upshur Co.

“One of the most notable historic landmarks is the Pringle Tree Park; the current park marks the first permanent settlement west of the Alleghenies in Virginia, settled by Samuel and John Pringle in 1764. The brothers lived in a hollowed Sycamore tree for 3 years and eventually began a permanent settlement with other emigrants.”

“World’s Largest Teapot” – Hancock Co.

“The Coal House” – Mingo Co. – WV Executive Magazine

“Weighing in at 65 tons with 2 ft. thick walls, it’s . . . made entirely of coal. Built in 1933, it was designed by architect H.T. Hicks from an idea by O. W. Evans. It was constructed from blocks of local seam coal donated by coal companies in the region. Williamson’s coal house doesn’t really look like a house — and no one has lived in it as far as we know. It served for many years to promote the county, and continues as the office for the Tug Valley Chamber of Commerce. In October 2010, the Williamson Coal House was gutted by a fire, but its exterior survived fairly intact. It was repaired and reopened to visitors in September 2011.” – From Roadside America website

“Rosbey’s (Rosbby’s) Rock” – Marshall Co.

“This rock is an obscure landmark in an obscure community in the West Virginia panhandle, but it deserves to be as well-known as the Golden Spike Natural Historical Site that marks the point at which the transcontinental railroad was completed. Roseby’s Rock is significant for an earlier event of similar importance in the embryonic days of American railroading. Near this point in a narrow valley southeast of Wheeling, the last spike was driven in the B&O Railroad on Christmas Eve 1852, closing the gap in the rail connection between Baltimore and the Ohio River at Wheeling. The rock was named for Roseby Carr, the B&O official in charge of construction in this territory. The celebration after the line’s completion may or may not have been responsible for the misspelling “Rosbby” chiseled into the big rock. The historic B&O line through Roseby’s Rock was abandoned years ago.” – Jon R. Roma

“The inscribed boulder marks the spot, where on Dec. 24, 1852, the rails of the B&O were joined forming a railroad link between Baltimore (the Atlantic Ocean) and the Ohio River. This site is the original Promontory Point linking the two water drainages. Construction of the railroad was started on July 4, 1928, and its completion represented one of the major milestones in United States history and development. The railroad aided commerce and westward expansion.” – WV Tourism

“The Berkeley Springs Castle” – Morgan Co.

“The warm mineral waters in Berkeley Springs have made it a major vacation destination for centuries. Native Americans came from as far away as Canada to cure ailments. Thomas Jefferson’s father noted it as Medicine Springs in 1747. George Washington enjoyed the spa waters so much that he and his closest friends purchased land in the town.

“The English-Norman Berkeley Castle, a National and West Virginia registered historical landmark, was built by Colonel Samuel Taylor Suite between 1885 and 1891. Colonel Suit was a wealthy businessman who fought in the Civil War.When he was 46, Colonel Suit met and fell in love with Rosa Pelham, the 17-year old daughter of Congressman Charles Pelham of Alabama. He tried to persuade her to marry him, but she turned him down.. .

Allegheny Mountain Radio – Pocahontas Co.

“Allegheny Mountain Radio is a network of three community stations which are public and non-commercial. They are operated by volunteers and a small paid staff. Pocahontas Communications Cooperative, the licensee of the stations, is a non-profit organization formed in April 1979 for educational and charitable purposes and to operate community radio stations. Financial support is derived from individual donations, business underwriting, and grants. Allegheny Mountain Radio serves the Allegheny Highlands of the two Virginias. Our coverage area includes Pocahontas County in West Virginia and Bath and Highland County in Virginia.”

Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory – Monroe Co.

“Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory on Peter’s Mountain in Monroe County, West Virginia, is a former fire tower now used to monitor raptor migration. Every year, starting around the first of September, volunteers man the tower to watch for migrating hawks, eagles, falcons, and ospreys. . .Hanging Rock Tower is a simple forest service fire tower on top of a mountain. Its proximity to the Allegheny Trail allows for year-round casual visitors, but most of the birding activity takes place during the fall migration season which runs from the middle of August through November. There is no electricity, running water, or bathroom facilities other than an outdoor privy (which we keep as clean as possible). You need to be sure to take drinking water. Other items you may want to take are binoculars, food, sunglasses, an extra layer of clothing (it is sometimes a different world on top of the hill), sunscreen, hat, bird books, and comfortable hiking shoes.”

“Parkette / Shoney’s” – Kanawha Co.

“Outdoor mini-exhibit on 1947 founding of a fast food chain. The historical plaque credits Alex Schoenbaum with starting what became Shoney’s Big Boy as the Parkette Drive-In here. He expanded his Shoney’s chain over 40 years to include 1,900 restaurants. At the very west end of Kanawha Blvd., as it curves to join with the Patrick Street bridge, is a lonely structure commemorating the location of the very first Shoney’s restaurant. The forgotten Big Boy mascot stands at the top of a pedestal, forever holding up his Big Boy Burger. The sign directing visitors calls it a museum, but there is no inside. Just a few windows full of memorabilia & a plaque giving the history of the restaurant and its founder. I only spotted one tiny keychain bear. I guess he and Big Boy aren’t on speaking terms, seeing that the furry guy replaced him.” (From “RoadsideAmerica.com)

The Parkette Is considered by many to be the birth of the entire fast food industry.

“Got Shoney’s?”

“Big Boy gets his own memorial in a tribute to the Shoney’s Restaurant chain, which began as The Parkette, a Charleston institution founded soon after the end of World War II. In this SoundSlides for the Charleston Gazette, get a glimpse of the monument.” (2:42/2009/douglaseye)

“The Hatfield-McCoy Trails”

“The Hatfield-McCoy Trails are made up of over 700+ miles of trails located in the rich mountains of southern West Virginia. As one of the largest off-highway vehicle trail systems in the world, Hatfield-McCoy Trails is open 365 days a year and offers something for every skill level.”

“The Coal River ‘Walhonde’ Water Trail”

“The Coal River “Walhonde” Water Trail is an 88-mile long designated river trail for paddlers. The trail covers nearly the entire length of the Big, Little, and main Coal Rivers and features Department of Natural Resources boat launches for accessing the rivers.”

“Hiking Trails”

Some trails also allow Bicycling and/or Horseback Riding.

“Trails in West Virginia” – TrailLink

“Explore West Virginia trails and find comprehensive trail guides including West Virginia trail maps, descriptions, photos and reviews.Whether you’re getting outdoors for recreation, fitness, commuting or travel you’ll discover top trails for bicycling, hiking, running and more on TrailLink.com.Get outdoors and explore all West Virginia has to offer including popular trails like Blackwater Canyon Trail and Allegheny Highlands Trail.With more than 59 trails, you’re bound to find one perfect for you.”

“WV Scenic Trails Association”

“The Allegheny Trail”

“The Allegheny Trail is a 330-mile (or will be when the last 20 miles are completed) north-south trail whose northern terminus is on the Mason-Dixon Line at the Pennsylvania-West Virginia border near Bruceton Mills. It wends its way south until it meets the Appalachian Trail on Peters Mountain at the Virginia-West Virginia border.”

“The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club”

“The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club is a volunteer-based organization headquartered in Vienna, Virginia. The PATC was founded in 1927 by the visionaries who planned and built the Appalachian Trail. The club now manages more than 1,050 miles of hiking trails in the Mid-Atlantic region, along with cabins, shelters, and hundreds of acres of conserved land.”

“Mountain State Rail Trails” – WV Tourism

“Over 375 miles of train tracks have been converted into trails for walking, hiking, biking and horseback riding. The rail trails, with their gentle or level grades and wide rights of way, are easily accessible and are among the most beautiful and scenic in the country. With almost 30 rail trails dispersed throughout the state, enjoying the outdoors becomes easy and fun for all ages.”

“The obligation rests on us to maintain strong and virile rural communities. Among the hills of West Virginia are hundreds of communities containing from 25 to one hundred families where the spirit to meet this obligation exists.”

“These remarks, made by the director of the West Virginia University Agricultural Extension Division, marked an ongoing effort to focus the attention of outside agencies on rural communities. In October 1921 a country community score card was developed, which listed specific standards or goals under nine headings–history, government, business, farm, clubs, homes, schools, churches and health. As a result of these community score cards, approximately one hundred community histories were published by the Agricultural Extension Division in Morgantown in the 1920s and 30s. The West Virginia State Archives library currently holds fifty-eight of these histories.”

“The Story of the Helvetia Community” – WV Archives and History

“New Deal Communities” (3) – National New Deal Preservation Society

“The Legacy of the New Deal”“FDR made it possible for many of our family members to survive during the Great Depression and to create New Deal treasures all over this nation that we are still using and enjoying today. You may not know what they are. It can include such things in your town, city, county or state like schools and other public buildings, parks, roads, bridges, cemeteries, swimming pools, water and sewer systems, rural electricity, murals, paintings, sculptures, and even symphonic orchestras. Many of today’s legal rights for labor were established in the New Deal era. The FDIC protects your bank account, and Social Security is possibly critical to you and your family.”

1 – “Arthurdale” – Preston Co.

“Eleanor’s Little Village”
“Revisit the 1930s in Arthurdale, West Virginia. Established in 1933, by the United States government, Arthurdale is the nation’s first New Deal Homestead Community. Created through President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal legislation, the community provided a new chance at life for residents of West Virginia who were suffering from the Great Depression. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt served as the empathetic force behind the community, which became known as “Eleanor’s Little Village” because of her interest. Today, Arthurdale is a National Historic District that features 160 of the 165 original homesteads.”

From WV Tourism: “Arthurdale was the first of 99 New Deal communities built by the federal government during the Depression. Eleanor Roosevelt was deeply involved in planning the community and visited often. The New Deal Homestead Museum consists of 5 original buildings – Administration, Center Hall complex, Forge, Esso Station, and a Homestead house. Personally guided tours are available…”

“Arthurdale – The Unknown Jewel”

“The town of Arthurdale is located in Preston County, WV. This community was started by Eleanor Roosevelt, WVU and the American Friends Service Committee. Arthurdale was the first New Deal Homestead Community and was considered “Eleanors Little Village.” The community was started in the early 1930s and was managed by the government until 1947. The community started with 165 homesteads, of which 160 still remain. The community is now listed as a historical landmark and they have tours throughout the year.” (4:12/2008/Michelle Liga)

2 – “Eleanor” – Putnam Co.

From WV Tourism: “In 1934, a total of 150 families were selected for the Town of Eleanor, a community of 2,200 acres. Each house plot was three-quarters of an acre to an acre and provided for a barn, chicken pen, garden and a lawn. Built of cinder blocks, the three to five room homes were designed in several basic styles with an average cost of $1,800 to $2,500. The homes were built by the homesteaders, of which 146 still remain. In 1935, the project name was changed from Red House Farms to Eleanor in honor of the First Lady, who is reported to have made five trips to this project.”

3 – “Tygart Valley Homesteads” – Randolph Co.

From WV Tourism: “Tygart Valley Homesteads: Dailey, East Dailey and Valley Bend were built in 1934-35 for workers laid off from local mining and lumbering jobs. Successful applicants were selected with “homesteaders” working for credit towards their homes and for actual pay. A new school was constructed and still serves as an elementary school. In Dailey there are several structures extant: trade center, store, post office and fire department. Most homes are found in Valley Bend. At the end of the project, Tygart Valley paid back the initial loans in full to the U.S. government along with a profit from the sale of the lumber mill. Today the community remains largely intact with descendents of many homesteaders still living in the communities, although infill homes have sprung up on the once 2-3 acre homesteads.”

“Bramwell” – Mercer Co.

“Bramwell is a West Virginia Historic Town on a peninsula of the Bluestone River – founded 1888. The town reflects large fortunes amassed by local coal barons and is renowned for having an abundance of well preserved Victorian and Tudor style mansions. Around the turn of the century fourteen millionaires resided here during the town’s heyday. Bramwell offers self-guided walking tours and pre-arranged group tours that are highlighted by Spring and Christmas historic home tours.”

“Tucked away in the hills of southern West Virginia is a tiny town with a huge history. Bramwell, located 8 miles north of Bluefield, WV, is known as the “Home of the Millionaires.” Settled in the early 1800s the area was surrounded by massive coal deposits. As the coal was mined, the operators began to build grand homes in Bramwell. The town became known as the richest town for its size at the turn of the 20th century.”

“Bramwell, West Virginia”

“Bramwell, West Virginia was a residential paradise, wealthy coal barons could live in luxury. They could enjoy a fabulous social life among their wealthy neighbors. There were plenty of merchants, ministers, doctors, attorneys and others that supported their lifestyle. In the late 1800s, Bramwell had electric street lights, a weekly newspaper, a water company, and even telephone service.” (8:10/2007/Dan Traveling)

“Coalwood” – McDowell Co.

“World famous as the site of Homer Hickam, Jr.’s, book “Rocket Boys” and the film “October Sky,” the McDowell County community of Coalwood is featured in an article, “Historic Coalwood,” in the summer [2001] issue of Goldenseal magazine.

“The article, which was written by noted West Virginia coal historian Stuart McGehee, is an insightful account of the rise and fall of this historic coal company town. McGehee traces Coalwood’s history from its founding in 1902 as a company town for the Carter Coal & Coke Company, through its rise to national recognition as a model mining community in the early 1930s, to its gradual decline due to mechanization and global competition.”

Trivia: If you rearrange the letters in “Rocket Boys” (the book title) you get “October Sky” (the movie title)

“Coalwood, West Virginia”

“We visited the annual October Sky Festival, or the Rocket Boys Reunion as it is known up there in Coalwood West Virginia. For those that aren’t familiar with this event, it is an annual reunion of folks from Coalwood , the folks from the movie October Sky, and the actual Rocket Boys themselves. Our visit includes segments of Homer Hickam signing autographs, Homer is the best selling Author of The Rocket Boys, later made into a movie by Joe Johnson called October Sky (the one with Jake Gyllenhaal and Laura Dern) also Scott Miles, who played Homer’s (Jake’s) older brother in the movie there were also NASA astronauts, Virginia Tech Students, children with rockets from all over and the townsfolk as well.”(9:58/2007/Dan Traveling)

“International Mother’s Day Shrine” – Taylor Co.

“The International Mother’s Day Shrine and Museum will preserve, promote and develop through education, the Spirit of Motherhood, as exemplified by the lives of Ann Maria Reeves Jarvis and Anna Jarvis, and the institution of Mother’s Day that they established.”

“Anna Jarvis and the History of Mother’s Day” – WV Public Broadcasting

“May 11, 2008, was the 100th Anniversary of Mother’s Day. The holiday began in Grafton. Emily Corio has more on the West Virginia connection to Mother’s Day, and how the person who started it all later lamented what the holiday turned into.” (4:29/2008/WV Public Broadcasting)

“Pearl S. Buck Birthplace” – Pocahontas Co.

“Located in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, The Pearl S. Buck Birthplace showcases the home where the Nobel Prize-winning author was born in 1892. The museum is dedicated to celebrating the influence that the home and West Virginia lifestyle had on Pearl and how it shaped some of her major work throughout her life. Known as one of the voices of her generation, many people don’t know that her life began in a modest home located in Pocahontas County, West Virginia. The site, a National Historical Site located in the town of Hillsboro, features a modest two-story, hand-built, home where the author was born. Beloved by millions of readers, THE GOOD EARTH, has been one of the most popular novels of this century since its publication in 1931. The book won the Pulitzer Prize and the William Dean Howells medal for fiction. For over 30 years, Pearl S. Buck’s novel played a major role in shaping Western attitudes toward China.”

“West Virginia University, West Virginia Wesleyan College and the Pearl S. Buck Birthplace Foundation formed a partnership to preserve and disseminate the legacy of Pearl S. Buck. As part of that agreement, a priceless collection of literary manuscripts by Buck will be housed at the WVU Libraries.”

Video includes scenes from the Pearl S. Buck Birthplace. (3:29/2014/WVU)

“Nancy Hanks Birthplace” – Mineral Co.

“The cabin is a replica of the original, in which Nancy Hanks was born, on February 5, 1784.

“Across the street from the cabin, there’s a small plaque on a stone pillar. It’s the only thing on the property that explains who Nancy Hanks was. She married a carpenter named Thomas Lincoln in 1806 and Abraham was the second of her children, born in 1809. Nancy died in 1818, when Abraham was only nine years old, from “milk sickness,” caused by drinking tainted milk from a cow that had eaten poisonous white snakeroot.”

“The operational purpose of Navy Information Operations Command, Sugar Grove is to perform communications research and development for the U.S. Navy, the Department of Defense and various elements of the U.S. government. The Navy’s presence in Sugar Grove began in 1955 when the present site of the NIOC was selected for a Naval Research Laboratory project. NIOC Sugar Grove is located in picturesque Pendleton County, West Virginia, in the Potomac Highlands or eastern portion of the state, approximately 170 miles southwest of Washington, D.C.”

<<The lower base was decommissioned in late 2015.>> <<Websites below are no longer active>>